The Chevrolet->ke199 Corvette – GM’s little performance savior. This car has meant everything to Chevrolet for one simple reason; because it used to be the only car with some style. It was the only model that made anyone feel emotional about driving a Chevrolet and its history is second to none. The American sports car market has been utterly dominated by the Corvette from the Airbox models to the legendary Stingray.

The Z06 was originally introduced to push the envelope in terms of performance for the Corvette lineup. Recently Chevrolet decided that the Corvette needed to incorporate the largest and most powerful engine thus creating the ZR1. The ZR1 model has become the poster child of American supercar fame taking on the challengers from across the pond and, with the hiatus of the Dodge Viper->ke1404, it is likely to keep its crown for some time.

Even with the invention of the ZR1, the Z06 model has not been neglected. Several different levels of Z06 trim exist, each coming with different types of option packages delivering varied results depending on what type of driving the car will most likely encounter.

Hit the jump for more details on the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 505@6,300
  • Torque: 470@4,800
  • Transmission: Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The standard Corvette has not changed its shape since the latest body came out, but the Z06 models offer a host of improvements. For the Z06 Carbon Limited Edition the car gets a carbon fiber hood, carbon-fiber rocker panels, and 20” double spoke wheels finished in black. These weight saving pieces help the Carbon edition become the best performing model in the line. In addition, only 500 of these models will be built.

The two new packages are the Z07 and CFZ each providing their own individual touches. The CFZ package is akin to the Carbon Edition by providing rocker extensions, front splitter, and a rear spoiler. The Z07 package ups the ante with carbon-ceramic brakes provided by Brembo and Michelin Sport PS2 tires surrounding 20-spoke wheels. Perhaps the most effective addition that comes with this package is the Magnetic Selective Ride Control giving more options to the driver as well as enhancing the handling of the car on all surfaces.

Current Corvette models have been able to withstand the test of time and with these latest iterations, it seems as though they will be just fine for the next few years until a completely new replacement is ready. Extensive use of carbon-fiber through the fenders, hood, roof, and front splitter has helped to shave weight and increase aesthetic appeal at the same time.

Interior

In most comparison tests, the place in which the Corvette drops the ball compared to its competition is the interior. Let's admit that most people do not buy a Corvette in order to receive some sort of opulent interior treatment, but at the same time these cars are not cheap. A base Corvette Z06 will set you back $74,305 and for that kind of cash there are plenty of sudo-luxury sports cars to choose from.

The 3LZ trim level option has helped the Corvette out immensely. It offers the instrument panel, door panels, console cover, and sport seats all wrapped in leather. The option of different colored stitching, providing a level of customization, is also a nice touch.

If you are lucky enough to get one of the few Carbon Limited Edition models than your interior will be one of the few that feels completely outfitted. It includes suede-leather seating surfaces, suede steering wheel, shift knob, door pulls, and armrests. The Blue and Orange stitching options are only available on this model and racing pedals with a racing number complete the upgrades. One issue that seems to be raised with every Corvette is the lack of support in the seats.

Performance

The Z06 model is quite the competitor even when compared to its mighty ZR1 sibling. The 7.0-liter LS7 V8 is nothing short of fantastic when put to the test. It produces 505hp at 6,300rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque at 4,800rpm, which is more than sufficient to spin the rear tires into oblivion. Through the use of lightweight materials such as the titanium intake valves, the Z06 models are the lightest Corvettes in the range.

All of this power under the hood in conjunction with the lightweight components, get the Z06 Carbon Edition to sprint from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and slaughter the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds. The ZR1 may do the 60mph race in a supercar-like 3.3 seconds, but either one is truly fast. The Z06 actually stops faster than a ZR1 from 60mph in an astonishing 93ft. compared with the ZR1 that takes 97ft to come to a halt.

Pricing

2010 Corvette Coupe - $48,950

1LT Base Equipment Group

$0

2LT Equipment Group

$1,195

3LT Preferred Equipment Group

$4,205

4LT Premium Equipment Group

$7,705


2010 Corvette Convertible - $53,600

1LT Base Equipment Group

$0

2LT Equipment Group

$3,190

3LT Preferred Equipment Group

$6,200

4LT Premium Equipment Group

$9,700


2010 Corvette Grand Sport Coupe - $54,790

1LT Base Equipment Group

$0

2LT Equipment Group

$1,195

3LT Preferred Equipment Group

$4,205

4LT Premium Equipment Group

$7,705


2010 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible - $58,600

1LT Base Equipment Group

$0

2LT Equipment Group

$3,190

3LT Preferred Equipment Group

$6,200

4LT Premium Equipment Group

$9,700


2010 Corvette Z06 - $74,305

1LZ Base Equipment Group

$0

2LZ Preferred Equipment Group

$2,665

3LZ Premium Equipment Group

$7,170


2010 Corvette ZR1 - $109,800

1ZR Base Equipment Group

$0

3ZR Premium Equipment Group

$10,000


OPTIONS

C2L

Roof Package – Includes Painted and Glass Tops

$1,400

CC3

Glass Roof instead of Painted Roof

$750

CCR

Special order option

$0

CFZ

Z06 Carbon Fiber Package

$3,995

D30

Color Combination Override

$590

F55

Magnetic Selective Ride Control – Grand Sports

$1,695

F55

Magnetic Selective Ride Control – Coupe/Conv

$1,995

H33

Cyber Gray Metallic Headlamp Override

$590

H34

Blade Silver Metallic Headlamp Override

$590

H35

Black Headlamp Override

$590

J55

Cross Drilled Brake Rotors

$500

MN6

6-Speed Manual Transmission

$0

MXO

6-Speed Paddle Shift Automatic Transmission

$1,250

NPP

Dual Mode Exhaust

$1,195

PYD

Grand Sport Competition Gray Wheels

$395

PYE

Grand Sport Chrome Wheels

$1,995

Q44

Z06 Competition Gray Wheels

$395

Q6B

ZR1 Chrome Wheels

$2,000

Q6J

ZR1 Competition Gray Wheels

$395

Q76

Z06 Original Chrome 10 spoke Wheels

$1,495

Q8A

Z06 Spider Chrome Wheels

$1,995

Q9V

Chrome 5 Spoke Wheels – Coupe and Conv Only

$1,850

QX1

Split Spoke Competition Gray Wheels

$395

R8C

Museum Delivery

$490

U3U

Navigation 6.5” Screen

$1,795

US9

6 Disc CD Changer

$395

Z07

Z06 Ultimate Performance Package

$9,495

Z15

Grand Sport Heritage Package

$1,195

**6

Two-Tone Seating

$695

36S

Custom Leather Stitching – Yellow

$395

37S

Custom Leather Stitching – Blue

$395

38S

Custom Leather Stitching – Red

$395

0B1

Cross Flag Embroidery on Headrests

$300

28U

Inferno Orange Metiallic

$300

45U

Velocity Yellow Premium Tintcoat

$850

85U

Jetstream Blue Premium Tintcoat

$850

89U

Crystal Red Premium Tintcoat

$850

GLB

Supersonic Blue Metallic

$300


Wheels

PYD

Competition Gray Aluminum – Grand Sport

$395

PYE

Chrome Aluminum – Grand Sport

$1,995

Q44

Z06 Competition Gray

$395

Q6B

ZR1 Chrome Aluminum

$2,000

Q6J

ZR1 Competition Gray Aluminum

$395

Q8A

Z06 Chrome Aluminum

$1,995

QX1

Competition Gray Aluminum – Coupe/Conv

$395

QX3

Chrome Aluminum – Coupe/Conv

$1,850

RQ1

Machine Faced Aluminum – Coupe/Conv

$895


Competition

With there being no true American sports car to challenge the throne since the departure of the Dodge Viper, it is hard to find direct competition to the Corvette at any trim level, let alone Z06 form. Just for kicks, comparing the two show they are strikingly similar - the Viper does have a large engine in terms of cylinders, but only by one extra liter. Horsepower numbers are close for a V8 vs. a V10, but the Viper wins all day in the torque category with 560 lb-ft on tap. The closest comparison are the quarter-mile and 0-60 times that are virtually identical.

The Nissan Skyline->ke1997 provides similar technical specs and actually accelerates faster than the corvette, making it to 60mph in 3.5 seconds. It is also a very different animal, having four-wheel drive and a back seat bringing it further away from the true old-school sports car that the Corvette is able to bring out. If that is what type of vehicle you're looking for than the Corvette is the only thing currently on the market willing to provide big V8 thrills at a fraction of the price of its foreign competition.